Do Horn of Valhalla-summoned barbarians sleep?

[Twowolves]

In the description for the Horn of Valhalla, it says it conjures a variable number of human barbarians, only they aren't really human, they are constructs. If so, can they be put to sleep? If they are constructs, do they get all of the Construct type traits?

 

[Delemental]

By strict interpretation, yes they are constructs, and should be modified as such. Note that this creates as many disadvantages as it does advantages (lower BAB, lower Hit Dice, can't get Con bonus or Will save bonus from raging, etc)

Personally, I'd just use generic barbarians straight of of the DMG, and ignore the 'construct' part for ease of use.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Well, here's the thing - when it says, "constructs," does it mean creature type Construct, or does it just mean "created by magic"?

After all, it does refer to them, earlier, as human barbarians, and it's not possible (in game terms) to be both human and a "creature type construct," though it would be possible to be human and "created by magic."

 

[Infiniti2000]

After all, it does refer to them, earlier, as human barbarians, and it's not possible (in game terms) to be both human and a "creature type construct," though it would be possible to be human and "created by magic."

I'm not sure I agree with that. Construct is a type. Human is, arguably, at best a subtype. I see nothing in the construct type to say that you cannot also have the human subtype. Most humans (like you and I) are Humanoid (human), but the creatures summoned by the horn could realistically be Construct (human). Unfortunately, there's no clear definition for the human subtype except to suggest of the human race.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Human is certainly a subtype - and of at least the humanoid type.

Humanoid (aquatic)
Humanoid (dwarf)
Humanoid (elf)
Humanoid (goblinoid)
Humanoid (gnoll)
Humanoid (gnome)
Humanoid (halfling)
Humanoid (human)
Humanoid (orc)
Humanoid (reptilian)

The question, then, would be "Can all subtypes, or merely some subtypes, cross type boundaries?"

The (Fire) subtype, for instance, can certainly cross type boundaries: there's red dragon - Dragon type - and fire elemental - Elemental type - examples in the core.

So, if all subtypes can cross boundaries, then yes, you could have a Construct (Human). If, however, some subtypes can't cross boundaries, then it might be impossible to have a Construct (Human). Above, I assumed that (Human) couldn't cross boundaries. That's not actually explicitly stated anywhere, however.

EDIT:

For what it's worth:

A subdivision of creature type. For example, humans and elves are both of the humanoid type, but each of those races also constitutes its own subtype of humanoid.

 

[babomb]

I think the real question is "Do Horn of Valhalla-summoned barbarians dream of construct sheep?"

My interpretation is that they actually are of the construct type, though it's not exactly clear. It could just mean they don't have souls or anything like that. If it actually comes up in play, well, that's what the Third Rule of Dungeoncraft is for.

Third Rule of Dungeoncraft: If you don't know what the odds of success are for a given action, the odds are 50%. Roll a die and stick with what it decides.

 

[werk]

I think the use of the word construct was in error.

Primarily because it advances the 'constructs' using levels rather than HD, which I believe warforged are the only constructs that advance by class. They are 'constructs' in that they disappear like a figment if killed, an hour passes, or they run out of people to fight.

I'd say it's probably in there to prevent someone from summoning the barbarians, killing them, selling their loot or eating them or whatever, and then repeating the process seven days later. Five 5th level barbarians is good eatin' for a week at least!

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I'd use generic barbarians as well. At the end of the duration them and all their gear would dissappear meaning that should you eat them (which I think 90% of adventuring parties wouldn't do anyway) you will soon have a very empty stomach. And if you sell their gear you will have some very angry merchants on your hands.

As a side not if they were constructs I don't think their saves, HD, BAB or anything else (other that con. mod. to HP and the immunities associated with being a construct) would change. Other wise a humanoid (human) barbarian would have medium BAB, d8 HD and 2+int skills. Likewise if a construct were to take a level in barbarian it would gain +1 BAB, +2 Fort, d12 HD etc...

 

[cmanos]

I think the real question is "Do Horn of Valhalla-summoned barbarians dream of construct sheep?"

man.....that was BAA-D

 

[Delemental]

I think the use of the word construct was in error.

Primarily because it advances the 'constructs' using levels rather than HD, which I believe warforged are the only constructs that advance by class. They are 'constructs' in that they disappear like a figment if killed, an hour passes, or they run out of people to fight.

I'd say it's probably in there to prevent someone from summoning the barbarians, killing them, selling their loot or eating them or whatever, and then repeating the process seven days later. Five 5th level barbarians is good eatin' for a week at least!

But the issue of what happens to the barbarians is already covered by the fact that the Horn "summons" the barbarians.

A summoning spell instantly brings a creature or object to a place you designate. When the spell ends or is dispelled, a summoned creature is instantly sent back to where it came from, but a summoned object is not sent back unless the spell description specifically indicates this. A summoned creature also goes away if it is killed or if its hit points drop to 0 or lower. It is not really dead. It takes 24 hours for the creature to reform, during which time it can’t be summoned again.

When the spell that summoned a creature ends and the creature disappears, all the spells it has cast expire. A summoned creature cannot use any innate summoning abilities it may have, and it refuses to cast any spells that would cost it XP, or to use any spell-like abilities that would cost XP if they were spells.